Humboldt tragedy stuns local hockey players
Peterborough area students wear hockey jerseys to class, joining national jersey day in honour of bus crash victims
Jerseys of all different teams, colours and sports were on the backs of students and teachers alike across the Peterborough area on Thursday to remember the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
For #JerseysForHumboldt day, students lined Crestwood Secondary School’s stage for a photo.
Many of the Crestwood students play for the Millbrook Stars of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and they posed at the front with their green and gold colour scheme which bear a resemblance to the Broncos colours.
Before many went on about their business they stopped and singed a book of condolences for the Broncos in the front lobby.
“This day means a lot, considering it could have been us going to our game, getting hit and having half our team die,” said Grade 9 student Jacob Campbell, a centre for the Stars.
“I think that it's great, the turnout that we have had as a school community,” said student council president Holly Astrom, who is in Grade 12 and plays left wing for the Peterborough Ice Kats.
“This compares to something like a spirit event. It’s so nice to see such a large turnout.”
The hockey players at Crestwood were stunned that 16 players and team staff had died on their way to a game travelling by bus just like they have so many times before.
“I heard the news when I found my Mom crying watching CBC,” said Laura Moloney a Grade 11 student, a member of the student council and a defenceman for the Peterborough Ice Kat.
“She could just relate to it so closely because her kids travel on buses with their sports teams, like it could have been us.”
Grade 9 student and Stars defenceman Benjiman Westlake added, “When I came to school my science teacher told me and I was just in disbelief. It's so crazy to think just kids going to a hockey game didn't come back.”
“I quite like how our school is showing their support, and showing how even though they (the Humboldt Broncos) are so far away that the hockey community no matter how small the town is still cares and supports them,” said Grade 9 student Avery McFadden, who plays left wing for the Stars.
All five have also taken part in the #SticksOutForHumboldt as well, leaving out one or more hockey sticks at the front door of their homes in honour of the players who died.
Meanwhile a member of Adam Scott Collegiate’s community brought 150 T-shirts with the Humboldt Broncos logo on them to sell, with all the profits going to the Broncos organization.
The national day didn’t quite go so well for one student.
A Quebec high school student who wore a jersey to school to show support for the victims of the crash involving the Humboldt Broncos says he was kicked out of class for his gesture, The Canadian Press reported.
Philippe Volek, 14, was suspended for violating the dress code after wearing a red and blue soccer shirt to his high school in Ste-Adele, north of Montreal, on Thursday after hearing about the nationwide event.